Methods and apparatus for using machine learning to facilitate network handoffs between access points

Abstract

Data is collected at access points about mobile communications systems, e.g., vehicles, use of access points and the quality of the connections that are provided. The collected information is provided to a machine learning access point (MLAP) model training device that generates one or more MLAP prediction models with each model corresponding to a geographic area in which access points are located. Vehicles provide location, acceleration and/or other information, such as a user entered destination. A vehicle request for an AP recommendation includes this information which allows the AP prediction engine to predict a path of travel. The MLAP prediction engine uses the stored models and/or information about AP loading, to predict what AP a vehicle requesting an AP recommendation should attach to next. The predicted AP is returned as a handoff recommendation along with the location and/or time the vehicle should initiate the handoff to the recommended AP.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communications method, the method comprising:
 storing, in a network node, a machine learning access point (MLAP) prediction model, used to predict an access point for a mobile communications system to handoff to taking into consideration the location and direction of travel of the mobile communications system;   receiving, at a machine learning access point prediction engine (MLAP PE), a first message from a first mobile communications system communicated via a first access point (AP) to which the first mobile communications system is connected, indicating speed and direction of the first mobile communications system;   selecting at the MLAP PE, using the stored MLAP prediction model, a second access point (AP) for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of a handoff from the first access point to which the first mobile communications system is connected; and   communicating information from the MLAP PE to the first access point or to a processor in the first AP indicating the second AP selected for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of the handoff.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first mobile communications system is a first vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first message from the first mobile communications system includes an identifier, identifying the first mobile communications system, location information indicating the location of the first mobile communications system, direction information, and RSSI information corresponding to one or more APs which were detected by the first mobile communications system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first message is an AP recommendation request message; and
 wherein communicating information to the first access point or a processor in the first AP indicating the second AP selected for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of the handoff includes:   operating the MLAP PE to send a response to the AP recommendation request message.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the AP recommendation request message further includes information indicating a destination of the first mobile communications system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the AP recommendation request message further includes information indicating a path to be taken by the first mobile communications system to the indicated destination. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 operating the first AP to send information in the AP recommendation response message to the first mobile communication system for use in controlling a handoff.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 operating the first AP to communicate handover preparation information to the second AP.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the handover preparation information identifies the first mobile communications system and provides information about services the first mobile communications system is entitled to receive. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 operating the first mobile communications system ( 102 ) to:
 determine a received signal strength indicator value corresponding to the first AP with which it is connected; 
 compare the determined received signal strength to an AP handoff inquiry threshold; and 
 send, in response to said comparison determining that the received signal strength is below the AP handoff inquiry threshold, said first message, said first message being an AP recommendation request message. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 operating the first mobile communications system to report location, speed, direction and RSSI information to the first AP.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 operating the first AP to collect information about devices being served by the first AP; and   operating the first AP to communicate the collected information to a MLAP model training device; and   operating the MLAP model training device to generate said MLAP prediction model.   
     
     
         13 . A communications system, the system comprising:
 a network node including:
 a machine learning access point (MLAP) prediction engine (PE); and 
 a memory storing a machine learning access point (MLAP) prediction model used to predict an access point for a mobile communications system to handoff to taking into consideration the location and direction of travel of the mobile communications system; and 
   a processor in the MLAP PE configured to:
 receive a first message from a first mobile communications system communicated via a first access point (AP) to which the first mobile communications system is connected, indicating speed and direction of the first mobile communications system; 
 select at the MLAP PE, using the stored ML access point selection model, a second access point for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of a handoff from the first access point to which the first mobile communications system is connected; and 
 communicate information from the MLAP PE to the first access point or to a processor in the first AP indicating the second AP selected for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of the handoff. 
   
     
     
         14 . The communications system of  claim 13 , wherein the first mobile communications system is a first vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The communications system of  claim 14 , wherein the first message from the first mobile communications system includes an identifier, identifying the first mobile communications system, location information indicating the location of the first mobile communications system, direction information, and RSSI information corresponding to one or more APs which were detected by the first mobile communications system. 
     
     
         16 . The communications system of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the first message is an AP recommendation request message; and   wherein as part of being configured communicate information from the MLAP PE to the first access point or a processor in the first AP indicating the second AP selected for the first mobile communications system to connect to as part of the handoff the processor of the MLAP PE is configured to:   send a response to the AP recommendation request message.   
     
     
         17 . The communications system of  claim 16 , wherein the AP recommendation request message further includes information indicating a destination of the first communications device. 
     
     
         18 . The communications system of  claim 17 , wherein the AP recommendation request message further includes information indicating a path to be taken by the first mobile communications system to the indicated destination. 
     
     
         19 . The communications system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 the first AP including a processor configured to control the first AP to:   send information in the AP recommendation response message to the first mobile communication system for use in controlling a handoff.   
     
     
         20 . The communications system of  claim 19 , wherein the processor in the first AP is further configured to control the first AP to:
 communicate handover preparation information to the second AP.